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Top 7 Posture Research Studies of 2016

2016 was a great year for many reasons; postural research was one of them! The following research studies demonstrate the importance of posture as it relates to cognitive function, proper development of children, better respiration, and accurate proprioception.

1) Posture Disorders in School Aged ChildrenThe authors of this research study demonstrated that more than 50% of school-aged children in rural schools have postural distortion patterns. They concluded that the cause of postural disorders were due to many different reasons including lesions of bone and muscle systems, insufficiency of CNS functioning, inappropriate environment, and lack of physical activity. It was also noted that postural distortion patterns were most commonly seen in the upper trunk, shoulder muscles, and neck musculature.

This research study shows a need for proper postural hygiene training of school aged children to manage and prevent postural distortion patterns. The implementation of postural hygiene programs in schools is a beneficial public health initiative.

2) Mobility and Upright Posture affect Cognition FunctionUpright posture and mobility were associated with different cognitive processes, showing better memory of older adults with proper posture. This important study provides evidence for a link between postural alignment and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults.

In this research study the authors define the terms “Mobility” and “Posture” and discuss how a decline of mobility and posture affects aging adults. They state that a decline in mobility with aging is associated with a decline in overall quality of life. Posture refers to the way the muscles and skeletal bones are coordinated to maintain an upright orientation against gravity. Older adults have a tendency to carry their heads and necks forward relative to their torsos. This was associated with decreased cognitive function.

3) Posture and Emotions are directly CorrelatedThis research study highlights the direct correlation of posture and emotions stating that posture can affect emotions and emotions can affect postural presentation. The emotions of happiness, success, confidence, and optimism are associated with an open expansive posture.

In this study the authors show that when patients are angry they show an increased amount of head protrusion, shoulder elevation, and knee hyperextension. Angry patients also have the tendency of rolling their shoulders forward and crossing their arms.

4) Poor Posture Results in Decreased Proprioceptive FunctionPoor posture leads to a decline in proprioceptive function. In this study it was shown that forward head posture is correlated with greater repositioning error than a more upright posture. The researchers claim that a significant negative correlation was observed between the craniovertebral angle and position sense error for flexion and extension.

Forward head posture is a very common postural distortion pattern, affecting millions of people. This research study indicates that the affects of forward head posture is not just structural, that forward head posture also affect proprioceptive function and body position awareness.

5) Poor Posture Restricts Vital Respiratory FunctionThe results of this study indicate that forward head posture can reduce vital capacity, likely because of weakness or disharmony of the accessory respiratory muscles. Meaning, that patients who present with postural distortion patterns have decreased forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume.

Respiration is an activity influenced by complex biomechanical factors, thus postural stability of the cervical and thoracic regions of the spine is of great importance to smooth respiratory function. Forward Head Posture causes shortening and weakening of the SCM, scalene muscles, trapezius, and ES muscles, which reduces the endurance and proprioception of these muscles. In addition, forward head posture increases muscle tension around the thoracic spine, restricting the range of motion in the upper thoracic spine.

6) The Need for Postural Training Programs in Physical Education ClassesIn this research study school aged children participated in a physical education course of doing posture exercises two times per week. The exercises can easily be replicated in other schools.

The researchers found that after the implementation of postural correction exercises in PE classes, children demonstrated better posture post intervention. It was indicated that the implementation of posture exercises in more schools is an intelligent and effective strategy for preventing early onset postural distortion patterns. Implementing this into schools can help children develop proper postural hygiene habits early in life.

7) Strengthening and Stretching Protocols for Improvement of Forward Head PostureThis research study demonstrates the value of performing posture rehabilitation for patients who present with forward head posture. In this study it was shown that both stretching and strengthening protocols were shown to be effective for the reduction of forward head posture.

The researchers also showed that postural balance increased in the “Strengthening” group. This indicates that postural rehabilitation focused on strengthening the weak musculature of Posture Quadrant 1 is beneficial for structural correction and for improvement of dynamic balance ability.